Grand Hotel Opens For 125th Season

MACKINAC ISLAND (WWJ) - It's a sign that summer is inching closer. Friday, the historic Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island opened for its 125th season.

But will high gas prices keep some tourists away this year?  WWJ Newsradio 950 spoke with Grand Hotel President Dan Musser.

"I'd worry if it were to get to five (dollars). I mean, it's no good at four or four-and-a-half. I don't know if it's a psychological barrier or an economic barrier, but at that level it might," Musser said.

The Grand Hotel has 385 rooms, and no two are decorated the same. Musser told WWJ they're debuting a new suite this season.

"Our newest First Lady Suite, the Laura Bush Suite... Now we have seven of them which are unequally decorated in the fashion of the First Lady," he said.

Musser said the room also features a replica of Laura Bush's official portrait.

More than 130,000 overnight guests stay at the Grand Hotel each season. At 660 feet, the Grand Hotel's Front Porch is the world's largest, and is visible as you approach the island from the Straits of Mackinac. 

You may recognize the Grand Hotel in the 1980 film "Somewhere in Time" starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour.

Get more Grand Hotel facts and info on the official web site.